Curved-stereotype-plate-making machine.



C. E. HOPKINS.

CURVED STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE. .APPucATsoN FILED FEB. 15* 1913. RENEwEu MN. 2a. 1918. ,284,93.

Patented Nov. 5, 1918. 4 SHEETS-SHEET l fnvenoz arie QN .AN

CfE. HOPKINS.

CURVED STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I5. 1913. IIEIIIzwEI)v IAN. 2B. I9Is.

Patented Nov. 5, 1918. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ...NN mw ma xmms una m mnwuma. uummznm. n c.

C E. HOPKINS.

I CURVED STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE.

APPLlcATloN FILED ma. 15. |913. RENEWED 1AN.28.1919.

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c. E. HOPKINS. CURVED STEREOTYPE PLATE MAKING MACHINE.

, APPLICATION FILED FEB. I5. i913- RENEWED JAN. 28| ISIS.

Patented Nov. 5,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

CHARLES E, HOPKINS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CURVED-STEREOTYPEfPLATE-MAKING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.V

,Patented Nov. 5, 1918.

Application filed February 15, 1913, Serial No. 748,692. `Renewed January 28, `1918. Serial No. 214,255.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES E, HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Curved-StereotypesPlate-Making Machine, ofl which the following is a specificati0n.-

The principal features of this invention Vare embodied in the casting mechanismof thecurved stereotype plate making machine, and comprise means for casting a curved plate in vertical position for the purpose of forming a riser on its curved end, means for turning the casting chamber from the vertical position to a horizontal position with mechanical means for separating the casting members by moving` the core member, and thereby delivering a plate cast on said core from the casting chamberA and into alinement with a linishing mechanism; and means for supporting the cast plate in said alinement and separa-ting said core and plate.

For the purpose of simplifying the construction I have made my matrix clamps in combination with the core, instead, as heretoiiore, of the back, and I have attached my matrix bolster packing strip to each of the straight sides of the back in .such away that when the casting chamberris closed and the matrix clamps in position against the straight edges of the matrix,`they will also engage said matrix bolster packing strip and force it in position against the opposite side of the matrix bolster from that engaged by the said matrix clamps. This feature is oi great valueowing .to the importance of the matrix clamps, and I make-the clamps also act as a means for locking and unlocking the casting members. l

Reference is to be had to the accompanying` drawings in which- Figure l shows a sidev elevation of the complete machine with the front side frame of the finishing mechanisml removed for the purposeV of better illustrating same. It showsthe core member of .thecasting mechanism swung out ofthe back and in the open positionv between ,the plate supports. It

4also shows a curved stereotype plateresting on the supports, partei ythe plate :being broken away for the purpose of better illus trating `the core. It also shows the end rings raised free from theplate. Fig. 2 is a plan of the same.

Fig. 3 is an end View of the machine with the casting mechanism turned to Vertical position to receive a charge of metal, the finishing arch being removed to better show the mechanism.

Figa 4 is a front or casting end View showing the mechanism in the same position as in Fig. l. tyalso shows a plate resting on th plate supports over the core.

Fig. 5 is a rear or `driving end view with the casting parts in the position as in Figs. l and 4, a part of the worm driving gear having been broken away to better illustrate the finishing devices.

Fig. 6 shows the casting mechanism with the finishing mechanism removed, and taken online 6-,6 of 2 lookingin direction of arrow.

Fig. 7 is a cross Vsection of the casting chamber and co-acting kparts von enlarged scale, and Y n Fig. 8 is an end view of the finishing arch and co-acting plate lock, shaving knife, tail cutting saw, and beveling tool.

Itaving explained the drawings I will now describe my invention by beginning with the casting mechanism which islocated at the front end of the finishing mechanism. The castingchamber is formedby the usual concavesegmental back and co-acting convex core and other elements necessary. The

complete casting mechanism comprises besides the parts necessary to make up the casting chamber a frame located at one side, the casting chamber mold part being supported on `one end of a shaft extending through the,frames. The top edges of the frames act as a plate support or guide over v which the plate can be moved when freed from the casting or mold members. There isalso provided a worm and worm gear mechanism for moving the core member on its pivot to deliver' the cast from the chamber to the plate support. These plate supports being located in alinement with like supports in 'the finishing mechanism, Vact also as a guiding means over whi'chthecast can be moved to the inishing mechanisml There is also provided a new mechanism for clamping the straight edges of the matrix during the casting operations.

The segmental concave back 10 is fast on one end of a shaft 11 which operates in bearings formed in a plate supporting frame 12, and thus the back overhangs the frame, being located entirely lon one side thereof. The opposite end of the shaft 11 is provided with a turning lever 13 by which the back can be turned either to vertical or horizontal position. A stop 14 is located in one of the supporting frames to position the back when vertical.

The segmental convex core 15 is provided at both ends with brackets 13 in which is fast a pivot shaft 17 which operates in bearings 18-13 formed on one side of the back 10. i T0 the front end of the pivot shaft 17 is fixed a segmental worm gear 19, which when the casting chamber is in the horizontal position meshes with a worm 20 xed on a shaft 21 parallel to the shaft 11 and operating in bearings in the frame. ,To the opposite end of this shaft 21 is fixed a crank lever 22. By this mechanism the turning of the crank causes the core to move on its pivot out of the back, carrying with it the cast plate P and delivering same to the supports as shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

I also provide means for locking the back in the horizontal position and holding the worm and worm gear .in proper mesh. This is composed of a slide rod 23 operating in bearings in the frame 12, one end of this rod is made to extend beyond the bearing so that as the back is turned toward horizontal position it will engage with a bevel 24 formed on a rib of the back 107 and a further turning movement of the back will position the end of the rod 23 opposite a recess 25 formed in the said rib (see Fig. 3) whereupon a spring 26 on therod 23 will advance the end of said rod into the recess and act automatically as a lock. To releasev the lock the operator moves the rod back against the action of its spring by a handle 27.

F or the purpose of closing the bottom of the casting chamber a semicylindrical ring 28 is provided and pivoted loose on the core pivot shaft 17. This ring is formed with the usual bevel for forming a corresponding bevel on that end of the stereotype plate A pouring sheet 2.9 is also provided and as is the custom consists of thin sheet metal;

but like the bottom ring is pivoted to the pivot shaft 17. For the purpose of moving both rings simultaneously I have united them by a rod 30 fixed in eye-bolts which are attached to a stiffening piece 31 on the pouring sheet, and a like piece 32 on the bottom ring 28.

As previously stated I have provided an entirely new mechanism for clamping the straight edges of the matrix during the casting operation, in which the matrix clamps are arranged on the flat side of the convex core and caused to move away from said cores axis and extend beyond the cores convex face. have arranged for said matrix clamps to act as a means for locking the casting members together when forming a casting chamber.

The particular construction shown com prises iiat bars 33'located at each of the straight sides of the core and held slidingly in position by studs 34, operating through openings in said bars. Located at the axis of the core is a rook shaft 35, to which are fixed two plates 36, each having camway openings 36a through which openings pass rods 37-37, carried by extensions on the fiat bars 33. An operating lever 38 is located at one end oi' the rock shaft 35 for the purpose of rocking the eccentric camways in plates 36. By the movement of this lever 33 and the connections the matrix bars 33 are caused to move in or out as desired.

Loosely mounted on each of the sides of the back are supporting bars 39 for the bolsters m of the matrix W4. rThese bolster supporting or packing bars are recessed into the straight sides of the back so as to position them on an angle,4 (Fig. 7) the bars and recesses being of a length equal to the distance between the bottom'ring 28 and the pouring sheet 29. (See Fig. 6). lThere are also provided locking pieces 40 fast to each of the straight sides of the back, said pieces being provided with projections 40a which extend over the bolster supporting or packing bars, and so as to engage over extending' lips 41 on the matrix clamps 33, when said clamps are advanced into position for clamping a matrix. By this means the casting members are solidly locked together simultaneously with the clamping of the straight edges of the matrix. (See Fig. 7). The purpose of having the bolster supporting or packing bars positioned on an angle and loosely held on the back is to allow of their being lifted on an angle sufliciently to allow of the `cast platel and matrix passing out of the backs concavity with the core as hereinafter described.

The core 15 is formed with a cooling chamber having both the inlet and outlet at the upper end when turned to the vertical. The chamber is provided with cooling water through an inlet pipe 42 to which is attached a flexible tube 43, the opposite end of which is connected with the intake opening 44 in the core 15. The flow of water passes to the opposite end of the core through a narrow passage 45, which passage empties into the core cooling chamber 46 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 6 and full in Fig. 7 The core cooling chamber 46 is provided With an outlet in which is fast one end of a second flexible tube 47, the opposite end of Which connects with the discharge pipe 48. By these connections the cooling Water flows'through the passage and out near the bottom of the core into the larger chamber when casting, and the Warm Water (caused by the core becoming heated when a cast is made) passes up through the chamber and'out of the discharge pipe. F or the purpose of controlling the flow of Water and thereby controlling the temperature of the core a controlling valve 49 is provided and located handily in the intake pipe.

Having described the construction of the casting mechanism l will now explain hovv it is operated. The operator first places thel back 10 in the horizontal position with the core 15 and end rings turned to the open position as shown in Fig. 4. He then grasps a flexible matrix by what is intended to be its straight edges and presses it into curved form against the concavity of the back@ He then swings the end rings down into the backs concavity and over the vthen curved edges of the matrix. In doing this he has positioned the matrix in the back. The operator then grasps the handle 22 and revolves same in the direction Which causes the core to turn on its pivot and move into position Within the 'backs concavity and over the end. rings. When the core is in the position referred to he moves the matrix clamping and locking mechanism into locked position by turning the handle 38 into the position shown in Fig. 6. The casting chamber novv being formed, the operator releases the lock rod Q3 from engage ment With the back, moves the turning lever 13 up Which causes the mold to assume the vertical position with its open mouth up and ready to receive a charge of metal.

After the cast `has been madeand had sufcient time to set, he reverses the movement of turning the mold, unlocks the matrix clamps and cranksV the core out of the backs concavity. The stereotype plate or cast will adhere to the core owing to the ribs cast on its concavity binding in the grooves formed in the said core. During the turning movement the core Will pass between the plate supports 12. Which supports will engage and stop the further turning of the plate and thereby separate same from the core, leavingr the said pla-te resting on said supports. The operator then removes the flexible matrix (if it has not ydropped ofi' during the turning movement) guides into position in the finishing mechanism, which the operator starts by moving a trip lever 85. lVhile the finishing operations are taking place as hereinafter described the operator proceeds to make another cast.

The finishing mechanism consists of the usual plate supporting arch, and shaving knife, rotatable Within and beneath the said arch. I also have a circular saw or cutter carried by the knife shaft for separating the riser portion from the type face portion of the stereotype plate. I also provide a trimmer or beveling tool for beveling the curved edge of the type face portion after the riser has been separated therefrom by the saw. The differentv tools and devices are connected so as to be operated from one source of power.

The plate supporting arch 50 is held in position by side frames 51. The shaving knife shaft 52 operates in bearings formed in cross frames 53 and 54. The knife shaft is provided with the usual adjustable shaving knife 55 which is arranged so when a stereotype plate is positioned against the dome of the arch the knifel will revolve axially with the concavity of the plate and smooth offthe ribs formed on the face of said concavity, thereby making each cast of a uniform thickness. Y

For the purpose of simplifying the construction I have arranged a tail cutting saw 56 to travel With the knife shaft. The sauv is mounted on one end of a shaft 57, operating in bearings 58 formed on the knife shaft; mounted on the opposite end of this shaft 57 is a gear 59 which meshes with a gear 60 loose on the knife shaft. Fast to this gear 60 is a chain sprocket 61 which is driven by a larger sprocket 62 fast on a shaft 63, one end of which shaft is provided With a bevel' gear 64 which meshes with a larger beveled gear 65, fast on the driving 'shaft 66. By this mechanism the saw is kept in constant rotation when the driving shaft is in motion. For the purpose of supplying a drivingconneetion from any source of power there is provided a driving pulley 102 attached to one end of the driving shaft 66.

The shaving knife 55V as is usually the case in combination shaving and trimming machines, extends only the length of the iinished plate P. The saw 56 as shown simA ply cuts a groove through and around the circumference of the plate thereby separating what is called the riser portion from the type face.

For the purpose of attaching these semicylindrical shells or plates to the cylinders of the. printing presses it is necessary to forni the curved ends with a bevel. In this case the botto-m bevel formed in casting but l have provided a beveling tool 100 isc which I attach to one end of the knife shaft extension which carries the knife 55. rIhis beveling tool is clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 8. In the latter view the tool is shown as in. operation.

The driving mechanism as shown in Fig. 5 comprises the driving shaft 66 which opcrates in bearings 67 and 68 formed in the rear cross frame, and upon which is mounted the bevel gear G5 for driving the tail cutting saw mechanism. Mounted loose on the driving shaft 66 is a worm 69 which at all times meshes with a worm gear 70 fast on that end of the knife shaft 52. @ne end of the worm 69 is formed with clutch jaws which engage or disengage a sliding jaw 71, slidingly keyed on the driving` shaft 66.

The sliding clutch jaw 71 is formed with a groove in which operates an antifriction roller 7 2 mounted on an upright arm 73 fast on one end of a. rock shaft "4e Also fast on the rock shaft 74 are two upright extending arms Z5-T5, which engage beneath vertical extending arms 76 formed on the roadway 77, the end of each of the said extensions 76 being pivoted to the end faces of the arch by studs @#78, (See Fig. l). As shown in Figs. 5 and S the opposite side of the arch 50 is provided with a fixed roadway or support 79.

It will be seen by the above the act of tripping or throwing in of the clutch also forces the stereotype plate up into position against the dome of the arch.

rlhe particular mechanism employed for tripping and thereby throwing in the clutch, as well as positioning the stereotype up into the dome of the arch is exceedingly simple, and comprises a horizontal arm 81 pivoted to the top of the upright arm 73, the opposite end of the arm is located in the path of a pin S2 fast in the adjacent face of the worm gear wheel 70. This horizontal pivoted arm 81 is provided with an arm S3 extending at an angle upward; the upper end of this arm 83 engages a trip pawl Se fast on shaft 85a extending lengthwise of the finishing mechanism, and provided at the opposite end with an operating handle 85. By this mechanism the pin 82 on the worm gear 70 pushes the clutch members out of engagement after each revolution of the knife shaft, holding same in that position until another stereotype plate has been properly positioned on the supports beneath the arch. The operator then gives the trip handle 85 a slight pull sidewise which action advances the trip pawl 84, which forcesthe horizontal arm 81 down and out of engagement with the stop pin 82 in the worm gear through the medium of the upright arm 83.

A heavy compressed coil spring 86 is 1ocated on a spring rod 87 engaging the pivot end of the horizontal trip arm. This spring is kept under tension especially when the machine is at rest, owing to its opposite end engaging with an extension 89 on the frame through which extension the spring rod S7 can operate. The purpose of this spring 86 is to advance the clutch jaw into engagement as well as elevate the plate lifter. For the purpose of positioning the stereotype plate lengthwise of the arch a stop 101 is fixed to the rear face of the arch.

Although I have illustrated and described only one form of the invention, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein by any person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims.

'Iherefore I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown and described, but what I do claim is 1. In a curved stereotype plate casting machine, the combination of a frame, a concave back overhanging` the frame and supported thereby at one side thereof, said back being mounted to swing on an axis tra-ns verse to the frame and to its own axis.

2. In a curved stereotype plate casting machine, the combination of a horizontal frame, a concave back overhanging the frame and supported thereby at one side thereof, said back being mounted to swing on a central axis transverse to the frame and` to its own axis and located near the top of the frame.

8. In a curved stereotype plate casting apparatus, the combination of a frame, a concave back pivoted to swing on an axis transverse to the frame, and a convex core coperating with the back and pivoted to swing on an axis at the side of the back.

fl. In a curved stereotype plate casting apparatus, the combination of a horizontal frame, a concave back overhanging the frame and pivoted at the center to swing on a horizontal axis transverse to the frame, and a convex core cooperating with the back and pivoted to swing on a longitudinal axis into and out of the back.

5. In a curved stereotype plate casting apparatus, the combination of a frame, a longitudinal 'shaft` a convex core pivoted at one edge on said shaft to swing to and away from the frame, a transverse shaft on the frame, and a concave back fixed to the latter shaft beyond the side of the frame.

6. In a curved stereotype plate casting apparatus. the combination of a frame, a longitudinal shaft, a convex core pivoted at one edge on said shaft to swing to and away from the frame, said frame being provided with means for receiving the edges of a cast plate on the core as the core moves inwardly to the frame, a transverse shaft on the frame, a concave back fixed to the latter shaft, a handle on the transverse shaft for operating theback, second transverse shaft, having a handle, and means for connectingthe longitudinal shaft with the second transverse shaft When the back is horizontal.

7. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a framing, a concave back pivoted on said framing, a convex core pivoted to one side of thc said back, means carried by the framing for turning the back on its pivot and means operable only when the back is in one position for thereafter turning the core on its pivot.

8. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a pivoted concave back, a convex core pivoted to one side of said back, means for turning the back on its pivot and means operable only When the back is in position for delivering for thereafter turning the core on its pivot.

9. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a pivoted mold comprising a segmental concave back, a convex co-acting core, a bottom ring and a pouring sheet, movable means for holding the straight side margin of a flexible matrix attached to the said core, and means for turning the mold on its pivot.

1 0. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a mold having a segmental concave back, a convex core, means on the straight sides of the back for supporting one side of the raised bolster of a matrix, and means carried by the core for engaging the opposite side of the said bolsters.

11. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a mold having a segmental concave back, a convex core, movable matrix packing strips on the straight side of the back, movable matrix clamps on the straight sides of the core, and the means for engaging or disengaging the matrix clamps with the said packing strips.

12. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a mold having a segmental concave back, and a segmental convex core, and movable means on each straight side of the core for closing the straight side Walls formed between the back and core and simultaneously clamping the raised holsters of a matrix positioned between the said back and core.

13. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a mold having a segmental convex core, matrix bars mov- I ably attached to each straight side of said core, and means for extending said bars be yond the circumference of the said core to engage both straight edges of the matrix.

14. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a segmental Vformed between back and core members,

means carried by the core for engaging one side of the straight bolsters of a flexible matrix When positioned in said casting cham-- ber, means carried by the back for engaging the opposite side of said matrix bolster, and means for advancing both the core and back engaging means, so as to firmly clamp the said bolster in casting position.

16. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a curved core, a curved back adapted to receive the core, bars located at the straight sides of the core and movable radially, means located at the axis of the core for moving said bars, bolster supporting bars on the back over the edges of which the first named bars are adapted to lit When moved out, and locking pieces on the 'back spaced from the supporting bars to .provide a space for receiving the ends of the first named bars to lock the core to the back.

17. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination With a semi-cylindrical back and core, of matrix clamps arranged on the fla-t side of the core and movable away from the axis thereof into a position to extend beyond the convex face of the core, and means whereby said matrix clamps engage the back and lock the core and back together.

18. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a mold having a core having a concave-convex cooling chamber provided With an intake passage, an opening into one end of said passage, an outlet from the opposite end into said cooling chamber, and an outlet from said cooling chamber located near the intake of the passage, flexible means for supplying cooling liuid to said cooling chamber through the said passage, and means for conveying said cooling liuid out of said chamber, through the said outlet.

19. In a curved stereotype plate making machine, the combination of a casting mold comprising tvvo members, means for turning the mold to vertical position to receive a charge of molten metal and thereafter turning the same to horizontal position, means located at one side of the mold for receiving and supporting the cast plate, means for separating the mold members and transferring the plate to said supporting means and a finishing mechanism alined With said supporting means.

1n testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES E. HOPKINS. Witnesses B. WOODS,

BLODWEN ST. JONES.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

